Figure 3.2: The ALEKS Website

Installation of the ALEKS plugin takes place from the ALEKS website (Fig. 3.2):

http://www.aleks.com

NOTE. You must use this URL to access ALEKS. Although there are other ALEKS websites that you may find using an Internet search engine, only this one contains your registration data as a licensed ALEKS instructor. It is advisable to mark this website in your browser with a "Bookmark" or "Favorite" or by creating a shortcut of some kind.

Close all applications other than your web browser before beginning installation.

Installation of the ALEKS plugin is automatic. If you attempt to use the system directly by clicking on "Be our Guest" or on "Register with ALEKS," the system will automatically check to see whether your computer has the most recent plugin currently installed. If it does not, the system will download the plugin and ask for your permission to install. (This is not a high-risk operation for your computer. The ALEKS plugin is a small library of Java classes which are used by your browser when you are logged on to ALEKS. They are inactive at other times and do not do anything except provide functionality for ALEKS. They can easily be removed from the computer with no other effect except that ALEKS ceases to be available on that computer. ALEKS Corporation Customer Support will be happy to answer any questions about the plugin.) When you grant permission, it will install. Following installation you must close and reopen your browser application. Installation is automatic for registered users as well.

If you need to download and install the plugin and this does not occur automatically, click on "Download the ALEKS plugin."

There is also a "streaming" plugin which can be used in situations where it is not possible to download to the local computer. Go to the following website:

http://www.aleks.com/plugin

Log on as usual. It will take one or more minutes for the plugin to load into memory. Once this is done, you will be able to use ALEKS in the usual way.